Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay in Virginia Beach, VA: $36.20 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a physical therapist assistant working in Virginia Beach, VA runs $36.20 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $75,301 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 31-2021). Weighted against Virginia Beach's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.9, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $36.96 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $45,180 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Virginia Beach, the physical therapist assistant hourly pay stands at a median rate of $36.20, notably higher than the national median of $33.77. This hourly valuation reflects the significant earning potential available to part-time workers, who often operate within outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, or during home health visits. Physical therapist assistants in the area can expect an hourly range that extends from $25.53 for entry-level positions to $40.51 for the most experienced practitioners. Such figures are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics data and provide valuable insights into hourly compensation opportunities for those considering or currently engaged in this profession.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.53 | $204.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.10 | $240.80 |
| Median (P50) | $36.20 | $289.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.67 | $309.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.51 | $324.05 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Virginia Beach
Based on $36.20/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.20/hr, a physical therapist assistant working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Virginia Beach, VA can expect to earn approximately $75,300 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $43,442. With a cost-of-living index of 97.94 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Virginia Beach.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Virginia Beach
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,448.08 | $6,275 | $75,300 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $868.85 | $3,765 | $45,180 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $579.23 | $2,510 | $30,120 |
Compare PTA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant (Virginia Beach) | $36.20 |
| Physical Therapist (National Avg) | $48.65 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant (National Avg) | $33.15 |
| Athletic Trainer (National Avg) | $27.85 |
| Massage Therapist (National Avg) | $27.10 |
Physical Therapist Assistants in Virginia Beach, VA earn a median of $75,301 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.19% higher than the national median of $70,247 and 0.40% below the Virginia state average of $75,604.
Physical Therapist Assistant Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.20/hr = $45,180/year (purchasing power: $46,130).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $75,300/year (purchasing power: $76,883).
CoL index: 97.941 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.20/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.24/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.20/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Physical Therapist Assistants in Virginia Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.73% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.20/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.50/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.35/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.61/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.24/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.69/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.24/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.20/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.19/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Virginia Beach grew 25.0% from $28.20/hr (2019) to $35.24/hr (2025). At a 2.73% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.19/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem physical therapist assistants can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Virginia Beach metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.73% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Physical Therapist Assistant in Virginia Beach
For those working part-time, such as on a three-day work schedule, the earnings can still translate to a substantial income over the year. For instance, a physical therapist assistant working 24 hours a week could expect to take home over $45,000 annually, which is a respectable figure compared to full-time counterparts. Per diem roles can offer a different pay structure, with rates ranging from $32 to $48 per hour for various assignments. Additionally, travel contracts can secure significant weekly payments between $1,200 and $1,800. However, the Medicare reimbursement policy changes in 2022 may have led to decreases in agency pay for SNF positions, affecting overall compensation. Different settings, such as outpatient orthopedic clinics or pediatric therapy environments, may offer varied pay scales, often balancing higher hourly rates with fewer or no benefits. When negotiating salaries, it’s beneficial for physical therapist assistants in Virginia Beach to emphasize their skills and experience while weighing the trade-offs between hourly compensation and the benefits offered by full-time positions.
More salary data for Virginia Beach, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for physical therapist assistants in Virginia Beach in 2026?
How much do part-time physical therapist assistants make in Virginia Beach?
Are physical therapist assistants in Virginia Beach paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time physical therapist assistant make per year in Virginia Beach?
Do physical therapist assistants earn more per hour working part-time in Virginia Beach?
Related Pages
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Written by Jordan Lee, DPT
Career Analyst
Jordan has 10 years of experience in outpatient physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Jordan works in a private practice setting.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.73% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for physical therapist assistants in Virginia Beach. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.73%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapist assistants (SOC 31-2021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, DPT, a licensed physical therapist assistant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov